Can opener



Oct. 21

H. K. DE LLOYD CAN OPENER Filed April 25, 1922 3 4 MT 2 2% wama v W N H'K'DeLI oyci III Fatented Got. 23, 192

HUDSQN K. LLGYD. 03? CLEVELAND. @HXO.

CAN OPENER.

Application tical can opener which is particularl constructed to permit cutting of a can top smoothly and easily without leaving ragged edges on the can; and the device is made partly separable and partly foldable to pro vide a small compact package when not in use. The foldable parts are arranged to pivotally support a lever and cutter at different working elevations to permit effective cutting operations on cans of different kinds and sizes, and as designed the device can. be made strong and durable at a nominal Cost. In the annexed drawing. Fig. 1 is a plan view of the can opener showing a round tin can in full lines beneath the cutter. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the device showing a can in dotted lines beneath the cutter. Fig; 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing the can partly in section. Fig. 4 is rear View of the handle and cutter. Fig. 5 is enlarged detail of the pivot end of the handle showing the pivot pin in cross section. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the base with the pivot post or bar folded underneath. Figs. 7. 8 and 9 are enlarged detail views of the cutter and beveled former at the beginning and end and an intermediate stage of operations in cutting the can top. Fig. 10 is a horizontal section on line 1010 of Fig. 9.

The invention comprises a base 2 which may be made of wood or metal but as shown consists of a metal stamping having short integral feet 3 adapted to support the main body upon a table or other flat surface. Base 2 is octagonal, although it may be round or of any other suitable shape. and has a hinge 5 at its rear side to which a flat post or bar 6 is pivotally connected by a hinge pin 8, the hinge being offset to permit this bar to fold parallel with and beneath the bottom side of the base and also to fold into a rigid upright or vertical position in abutting engagement with the vertical depending flange 9 at the rear side of the base.

Post or bar 6 is provided lengthwise thereof with a series of round openings 10 having lateral entrances 11 of reduced size at the filed April 25, No. 556.378.

longitudinal edge 12 of the bar. and these openings are placed closely together substai'itially the full length of the bar to permit a pivotal or fulcrum connection of a lever 14: to be made therewith at different elevations above base 2. Thus an operator may quickly attach or detach and adjust and fix the working position of the lever and its cutter 15 in respect to the can to be operated upon regardless of whether it is a shallow sardine can, a small milk can, or the relatively larger cans, in common use containing vegetables, fruits. coffee or other goods.

Lever 1st is a flat bar of metal having a straight or other shaped hand-grip with a curved ofiset portion 17 at one end adapted to overlap the base when its heaoed pivot pin or lug 18 is engaged with post or bar 6. The stem portion of pivot pin 18 has flattened sides 19 extending transversely to its longitudinal edges so that the pin may pass through the reduced entrances 11 when the lever is placed in an uprightposition and then have. a rotatable connection with the bar 0* post 6 whenresting within round opening 10 wit-h the lever inclined or in a horizontal position. Cutter blade 15 is curved and screwed or riveted to the concaved side of the lever near the pivot pin and projects downwardly, the depending portion being triangular and pointed and having reversely-inclined sharp cutting edges 20 and 21, respectively, to facilitate piercing of the can top upon an initial downward pressure on the lever and to effect shearing of the top by oscillatory movements of the lever. In shearing movements edge 20 moves downwardly toward the post while the operator grips the round body'of the can in his left hand and rotates the can clock-wise, thereby effecting a shearing cut substantially as shown in Fig. 10, and at the same time causing the remaining stock 22 adjacent the can seam 23 of be wiped downwardly by degrees until pressed sub stantially fiat against the lnner side of wall.

G of the can. In order to produce this result lever 14 is provided with a beveled projection 24 fixed to the convex side of the curved portion of the lever opposite cutter blade 15 back of the piercing point of the blade, and the inner face 25 of projection 24 is rounded transversely where beveled to engage the outer side of the corner or seam 23. The curved cutter blade 15 and the projection 24; are also mounted on diverging lines on the lever see Fig. 10 to provide, a flaring open space between them through which the seam of the can may pass and be gradually crowded into a smaller space as cutting proceeds and the can is turned in that direction. In this way the can is constantly held to a true travel in respect to the curved cutter while oscillating the lever and shearing the top of the can. A clean cut edge is formed on the middle portion of the top and the stock 22 remaining in the top adjacent the seam is turned downwardly fiat against the body, thereby leaving no ragged or projecting edges on the can to obstruct the removal of the contents or to cut or injure the person holding or manipulating the open can.

When the device is not in use the lever may be instantly disconnected from the post by turning the lever into a vertical position, and then the post may be folded underneath base 2 to permit the parts to be stored or placed in a drawer or other receptacle. As folded the parts may also be compactly packed in a shallow carton or container, thus making a relatively small package or parcel for shipment purposes. The front cutting edge 20 of .cutter blade 15 is substantially straight vertically or only slightly curved, while the rear edge 21 is more sharply curved, especially at the heel opposite the forming and guiding projection Base 2 may be made of cast metal if desired, and a shoulder or stop 27 may be provided thereon at one corner beneath the cutter blade to guide and station the bottom end of the can in cutting operations. 'ihe handle for the lever may be fashioned in various Ways but as shown it is a plain straight extension and an integral part of the lever. The hinge 5 may also be an in logralor a separate part of the base, but

preferably of a butt hinge type adapted to sustain the post or bar 6 rigidly in an up right position when unfolded. Projection 24 may also be an integral or a separate part of the lever or handle but for economy in. manufacture this part is preferably made a separate piece and screwed or riveted to the lever. Other modifications may also be made without departing from the inventive concept as set forth herein and in the appended claims.

Si hat I claim, is:

1. A can opener, comprising a base having a post hinged thereto, and a lever pivoted to said post having a cutting blade and a 'guicing projection both fixed thereto and apted to engage the top and corner edge he can.

2. A can opener, comprising a supporting base for the can, an upright bar hinged to f old beneath said base having openings at spaced intervals open to its front edge, a lever having a pivot lug adapted to provide a detachable connection with said bar at said openings, and a cutter blade and guide member upon said lever adapted to effect a shearing wiping out in the top of the can.

3. A. can opener, comprising a supporting base having a bar hinged and adapted to fold underneath and also in an upright position in respect thereto; a lever having a cutter blade, and said bar having notches and said lever having means adaptedto provide a detachable pivotal connection with said bar at different places longitudinally at one edge thereof.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of a witness.

HUDSON K. DE LLQYD.

lVitness GEORGE E. KRIQKER 

